So I changed my alternator and bought a new belt. I started squeaking when the car was cold on start up and it would go away. Then i tightened down my idler pulley and it didnt do it for about a week. Now all the sudden it squeaks for a bout 5 minutes after start up. If a belt is too loose i know itll squeak, but what about if its to tight? or is it another part like a bearing.
thanks

 

Did you buy a genuine Nissan belt ? How did you adjust the belt tension ?

 

i bought a goodyear belt and adjusted it buy the rod that connects to the idler pulley

 

I had that problem forever. It would squeal on startup and when I ran my Defrost and A/C. I bought a new tensioner assembly from Courtesy and it never did it again.

 

Did you loosen the idler pulley bolt on the pulley itself before you tightened the adjusting nut?

 

Borrow or rent the belt tensioning gauge. Then tighten belt to spec.

 

did you hit anything... when you fixed the alternator... ? maybe..

 

There are two drive belts, which one is actually making the noise?

 

its the serpentine running my alternator and AC

 

i didnt hit anything either

 

i think i tightened it all the way

 

Yeah...I don't think you want it tightened all the way..back it off a little.

 

How do you adjust the belt tension ?
I guess I have to loosen the adjusting nut then loosen the bolt on the pulley (the one that the pulley spinning on?).
Do I have to move the pulley up or down to adjust the tension ?

Can any one make a write up with instructions ?

Thanks

 

you must first loosen the nut in the center of the pulley itself(you will see it when you get underneath), then tighten the nut on top then tighten back the first nut in place, not too tight though. thats pretty much it.

 

so if its too tight could that be why its squeaking? i found today its only after starting if the defrost is on

 

anyone know?

 

Thanks , I'm gonna try it tomorrow. I got some vibrations in N and P after alternator replacement so I think the belt is too tight.

How tight do I have to tighten the adjusting nut on the top ? I wanna loosen the belt tension because of the vibrations.

 

From my experience with my previous car (mitsubishi) non genuine belts used to squeak on start up even when new. So since I got my maxima I went to the dealership and bought original Nissan belts for $32, while the autozone belts would cost me $26 +-(I paid $6 more but Nissan's quality is better).
Try to tighten the belt tension a bit and see if it's squeaking.

 

it'll squeak if the belt is loose or if the belt is worn(both sides)

 

Which one of the two nuts you mentioned actually moves the pulley up and down ? I see a label on the top nut - "Tighten after adjustment".
I need to loosen the belt tension.

 

Top nut moves belt up or down -- effectively tightening or loosening the belt. The smaller nut in the center of the pulley helps keep the pulley in position. Loosen that nut so the pulley can move (but don't loosen all the way or it will not hold the pulley's position) then go back to the top nut and loosen/tighten. Once the belt is in the desired location, tighten the center pulley nut to spec.

 

Regarding belt tension for his project....

To prevent pulley damage, proper tensioning is a must. SO, where is a good place to buy a belt tension gage?

Thanks.